What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 2/6/2023

Changing Of The Guard - February 5th--The Bracketeer

Conference Race Recap for All 32 Leagues
MVC – Drake (10-4) had the biggest scare of the four teams tied atop the wild Missouri Valley race. The Bulldogs were once again led by Tucker DeVries, who had 32 points and 11 boards in a 85-82 Double OT thriller at Valparaiso. The win gave Drake two Double OT wins in single week! Bradley (10-4) picked up an impressive road win at Northern Iowa, 77-69. Belmont (10-4) had a fun win over Illinois State, 90-75. And we had to wait for Sunday, but Southern Illinois (10-4) also picked up a win over Missouri State in a superb performance, 73-53. Three of these four hit the road next, beginning with Drake at Murray State on Tuesday Night. Indiana State (9-5) is waiting in the wings. Sycamores have found their groove again, winning three straight.

Stretch Drive in the Missouri Valley Conference--Valley Hoops Insider
MVC Notebook | Sycamores go long distance for record--Southern Illinoisan

HC+ Honor Roll, Feb. 5: From Ace Baldwin to Zeke Mayo, mid-major stars on display--Heat Check CBB

SURGEON

Ben Sheppard, Belmont

Thresholds: .350 3P%, .500 far 2P%, .650 close 2P%, .800 FT% (min. 8 attempts each)
Sheppard’s line: .462 3P%, .500 far 2P%, .692 close 2P%, .800 FT%

Speaking of shooters, Belmont’s Ben Sheppard had his stroke working all over the court last week. Sheppard put in a herculean effort in Wednesday’s loss to Murray State, going for a season-high 35 points while shooting 6-of-10 on 2-pointers and 6-of-11 on 3s. In the Bruins’ bounce-back win over Illinois State on Saturday, Sheppard scored 17 on 7-of-13 shooting. Sheppard is shooting a career-best 41.7 percent on from beyond the arc this year, but perhaps the most interesting wrinkle is some self-surgery he has performed. A career 70 percent shooter from the free-throw line, Sheppard is 41-of-49 (.837) in MVC games this year as compared to 24-of-49 (.490) in nonconference action.
Belmont's Ben Sheppard continues to look like one of the most slept-on prospects in college. Went for 35 vs. Murray State. Excellent off ball with spotup/movement shooting, sharp cuts, but also PnR threat with long strides on drives, makes 45% of pull-ups, smart passer. https://t.co/bFzFC3KksW pic.twitter.com/A37iT6vztA
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) February 2, 2023

The Other Top 25: VCU jumps 11 spots, on brink of top 10--Mid-Major Madness

The Other Top 25: Feb. 6, 2023

Others Receiving Votes:

Yale 6; Utah Valley 5; UCF 4; Iona 4; Drake 4; Sam Houston State 3; Hofstra 3; Furman 2; Toledo 2

Dropped from Ranking:

Temple; Sam Houston State; Drake; Loyola Marymount; San Francisco; Toledo